Pottstown police make arrest after foot chase

POTTSTOWN — A borough police officer chased a man down High Street while the suspect allegedly dropped drugs as he ran.

An officer noticed Asim Williams-Silvera, 33, of Pottstown, walk into the Laundromat at 423 High St. on Sunday around 11:30 a.m., police said.

The officer verified that there was a Montgomery County bench warrant issued in that name, then he approached the suspect and asked Williams-Silvera to place his hands behind his back, but the suspect began to argue with the officer, police said.

After a second request by the officer, Williams-Silvera pushed the officer into a set of washers before running from the building, according to police.

The officer used his Taser near 425 High St. when he was about 15 feet away from Williams-Silvera but the prongs hit his jacket that came off, police said.

As the chase continued down High Street, the officer reported he saw Williams-Silvera throw his hat to the ground and a sandwich bag full of white powder fell out of the hat, police said.

Williams-Silvera turned right onto North Franklin Street and stopped at the intersection of Buttonwood Alley where the officer caught up with him, police said. The officer placed Williams-Silvera in custody after he was taken to the ground, police said.

Even though the officer retraced his steps, he was unable to find the bag that dropped out of Willimas-Silvera’s hat, according to police.

Williams-Silvera was charged with felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor reckless endangerment and other related charges, according to court documents.

He was arraigned in front of District Judge Cathleen Kelly Rebar and his bail was set at $100,000, court documents said.

He is currently confined to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility because he was unable to post bail. His next hearing is April 3 at 1 p.m. in District Judge Edward C. Kropp Sr.’s court.